Revolutionary femtosecond laser – Is This The New Standard In Eye Surgery?


Laser Eye Surgery in the UK

To find out whether you are suitable for laser eye surgery or to get a quote, please complete the form on the right hand side and then click the send button. An advisor will contact you.


Laser Vision CorrectionMany thousands of people each year spend money on corrective eye surgery, allowing them to be free of contact lenses or spectacles. LASIK or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis is the most common technique used and is relatively painless and quick.

Eye surgeons are able to create a small flap in the front of the eye, the cornea, using a special knife called a microkeratome. This type of knife is extremely sharp and can cut very fine sections without damaging surrounding areas, allowing surgeons to access deep parts of the corneal tissue. The second phase of the surgery involves the use of a laser to carefully remove areas of tissue, correcting the visual defect of the patient. Side effects associated with the procedure are very minor, usually resolving within a few weeks.

Recent advances in laser technology have allowed the production of a femtosecond laser, i.e. a laser that emits energy over one fifteenth of a second. Eye surgeons using the new laser say it is superior to the microkeratome, allowing deeper, larger cuts, both of which are advantageous in the LASIK procedure. However some surgeons still prefer the use of a microkeratome to the femtosecond laser. This is probably due to a matter of experience and preference.  Advocates of the new technology say that it is not only safer but often gives better results too.

It seems that this new technology is also creating waves in other areas of eye surgery, including tissue harvesting and grafting, due to its increased reliability. As with everything in society today, it often comes down to a simple matter of cost. Yes, the femtosecond laser may be slightly more expensive, but when better outcomes can be achieved, surely it makes a whole lot of sense to invest in this ground breaking technology.

29th October 2008

<<<more laser eye surgery news


Laser Eye Surgery Enquiry Form

Complete this form if you would like information about laser eye surgery including costs & suitablity.